T.G. Reid Books In Order

Publication Order of DCI Bone Books

T.G. Reid
TG Reid is a Scottish born short story and novel writer. His award winning stories and novels have been published worldwide. Reid also writes award winning, critically acclaimed, dark literary thrillers under the pseudonym of Tom Gillespie.

The “DCI Bone” series is set in Tom’s hometown, among the glens and hills of the Scottish Campsie Fells. It is Tom’s very first foray into the pulse-pounding and murky world of police thrillers.

“What Hides Beneath” is the first novella in the “DCI Bone” series and was released in 2021. Secrets will always surface. One body and three suspects. Time is running out.

Scotland’s hottest summer in recorded history is already too much for DCI Bone. As if the water shortage was not enough, this body turning up at the bottom of Kilwinnoch’s dried up reservoir sends him to the boiling point. With three suspects on the loose and the clock ticking, the Rural Crime Unit needs to locate the smoking gun and nail this murderer before there’s another victim slain.

The writing keeps you absorbed, with some vivid descriptions, and this is an interesting team, with an ending that provides a good segue into what might be an interesting case for the first novel of the series.

“Dark is the Grave” is the first novel in the “DCI Bone” series and was released in 2021. The dead never forget. One dead cop, one damaged detective, and one copycat killer on the loose.

The prime suspect in the notorious Peek-a-boo killer case blew himself up to kingdom come, almost taking DCI Duncan Bone (lead investigator) along with him, the psychologically damaged detective believed his days on the force had ended. However when another PC gets abducted and killed in the exact same deranged Peek-a-boo way, Bone is then persuaded to return and lead this new investigation.

However while Bone and his team hunt down this copycat, and with time running out before yet another cop gets killed, Bone’s horrifying past comes back to tear open some old wounds and push him right to the edge of the abyss. Can DCI Bone end all the killing before the killing ends him?

Reid delivers an absolute cracking debut, and has you hooked right from the very beginning. His writing is superb, having been paced perfectly and well plotted. His use of Scottish vernacular gives this novel a true sense of location, even if you do wind up having to look some words up. DCI Bone is a likable and interesting character; he’s is dedicated to his work and has problems in his personal life. And his team is likable too, and it’s great getting to know them while the book progresses. With all the twists and turns, you struggle to figure out who the culprit is.

“Blood Water Falls” is the second novel in the “DCI Bone” series and was released in 2021. You cannot drown the dead. Death through a lens.

A local geography teacher’s brutally murdered corpse is found at Kilwinnoch’s famous beauty locale, Blood Water Falls, the community gets rocked right to its very core. This killing seems to be an open and shut case, at least for DCI Bone. However it isn’t all that long before a sinister clue unleashes lethal and dark forces, blowing this investigation wide open, and putting Bone and his team in grave danger.

With this town baying for blood, and far too many suspects to sift through and not nearly enough answers, Bone faces not only the toughest case of his whole career, yet also the battle of his life to beat the psychological demons that are determined to wreck him for good.

Reid’s descriptions at the beginning about the falls were so vivid and real that you feel as though you’re being transported immediately there. He has created some fantastic characters that almost seem like real people with their teasing among themselves and their banter along with the glimpses we’re allowed to see of them with their families, especially Bone with his ex-wife and son. Mullen is a funny character and a fan favorite, especially given his relationship with food and with his dad.

“Dead Man’s Stone” is the third novel in the “DCI Bone” series and was released in 2022. There are some secrets that are worth murdering for.

DCI Duncan Bone gets contacted by this terminally-ill psychiatric patient and is then given clues connecting a thirty year old unsolved murder to some high profile public figures, he finds he’s getting locked right into a conspiracy right at the very heart of the Scottish political and criminal establishment.

With lives being threatened, his bosses stonewalling this investigation, and his career put on the line, Bone faces a race against the clock to hunt down this group of men that will stop at absolutely nothing to cover up their murderous crime.

Can DCI Bone catch this murderer before the killing can start up again?

This is a brilliant plot, one that is sure to keep you gripped and guessing the whole way through. Reid’s writing style is easy going with the sense of humor returning in spades. Each of these characters are well drawn and easy to distinguish from one another, as they each bring unique skills to the team. For this novel, Reid should also get some kind of special award for most innovative murder.

“The Killing Parade” is the fourth novel in the “DCI Bone” series and was released in 2022. Who’ll be next?

When a local reality show winner’s corpse is found, on the eve of headlining Kilwinnoch’s annual Civic Week celebrations, it throws these festivities all into chaos and threatens to rip this close knit community to shreds.

This death is personal, for DCI Bone. Just days before, he had received a call from this victim, warning that she was going to be murdered, but he dismissed it as a hoax.

With a town on edge, threats of more to come, and this ruthless killer evading detection with ease, Bone knows from his hard worn experience that, in such a case as this, one kill will never be enough.